ISLAMABAD:
Between 2019 and 2023, a staggering 5,398 cases of child sexual abuse were reported across Pakistan, of which Punjab accounted for 62% of the cases – 3,323 incidents making it the most prevalent province.
The alarming figures, presented in a comprehensive report by the Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO), revealed the growing prevalence of child sexual abuse and called for urgent action to address the crisis.
The report analyzed cases from Punjab, Sindh, KP and Balochistan during the five-year period. KP recorded 1,360 cases (25.1%), Sindh reported 458 cases (8.5%) and Balochistan accounted for 257 cases (5%). One of the most alarming revelations was the 220% increase in reported cases in 2023 compared to 2019, indicating a rapidly escalating crisis.
Punjab’s Lahore district recorded the highest number of cases, with 1,176 incidents during the period. Even sparsely populated areas like Kolai-Palas Kohistan district in KP, with a population of only 158,096 under 18 years of age, recorded 84 cases.
The SSDO has put forward key recommendations to effectively combat child sexual abuse in Pakistan, including strengthening the enforcement of existing laws through specialized training for law enforcement and the judiciary, ensuring the efficient functioning of criminal courts. under the Zainab Alert Law and expanding community awareness. campaigns.
It also recommended improving reporting mechanisms, encouraging inter-agency collaboration and establishing a centralized national database for CSA cases.
Additionally, the recommendations emphasized the need for victim support through child-friendly spaces, trauma-focused counseling and financial compensation, along with the development of robust legal frameworks to address emerging challenges such as online exploitation and trafficking. .
The report calls on policymakers, law enforcement agencies and civil society to join forces to address the root causes of child sexual abuse. He reiterated his commitment to supporting all efforts aimed at ensuring a safe environment for children.
‘Wake up call’
Speaking at the launch of the report, SSDO Executive Director Syed Kausar Abbas expressed grave concern over the findings and called for urgent and coordinated measures to combat child sexual abuse.
“These figures are not just statistics; they reflect the lives of innocent children who have suffered unimaginable trauma,” he said, adding that the 220% increase in reported cases in five years was a wake-up call for the nation. He said there was an urgent need for stronger laws, strong enforcement mechanisms and widespread awareness campaigns to ensure child protection became a national priority.
Furthermore, he highlighted the fundamental role of provincial governments in addressing this crisis. “The fact that 62% of cases originate from Punjab calls for an immediate review of existing child protection policies and their implementation.”
